Foundations of Management
Naldo
M7P1-TERMPROJECTANDGUIDELINES.docxMMG511: Term Project
Major Project Topic
Leadership powers and styles
This project is comprehensive in that it requires a synthesis of many management topics from the course text. It will require three assignments to include:
1. A topic proposal which outlines the topic in one or two paragraphs.
2. A first draft of the researched assignment
3. The completed project which covers all the required research
The project guidelines:
Shadow a manager or leader – if possible someone you work for or can observe. However, if this is not available then choose a person with authority such as a professor, administrator at your college or a parent. It should be a person who has influence over others and does not need to be a high-powered executive. It is best to ask the person for permission and mention that this is a college project. You may offer to share your findings with this person when finished. Refrain from making private or personal comments. Keep it professional, this is a research project on leadership.
The objective is to analyze this person’s style within the framework of the concepts in this course. Finally, you will be asked to evaluate if this person is effective or if there is room for improvement. Provide your assessment accordingly.
Follow the format and create headings for each area as is modeled here:
· Introduction: Start your project with a thesis statement that outlines your objectives. This section should be concise. Five or six sentences is all that is needed for the introduction.
· Description of your leader. Place observed, age, gender, level of authority and job description. Include some personal information such as level of education social status, diversity profile – see page 134.
· Values: Interview this person to find out their terminal and instrumental values. You may have to explain these - see page 71 of the text for information on these Write a paragraph on each – terminal and instrumental values.
· Big Five Personality Traits: Assess where this person fits in this trait category and explain. You may opt to ask if the person will take the survey on page 87. It must be voluntary.
· Organizational citizenship behavior: Assess this person’s OCB and write a paragraph on your findings.
· Power styles: Consider the sources of power as discussed in the text – see figure 14.1 on page 457. Does your leader use a specific source of power or use various powers depending on the situation? Explain if the powers being used are effective or ineffective.
· Leadership style: What type of leadership style have you observed? Is it transactional or transformational? Be specific and discuss if it is effective.
· Communication style: Describe your leader’s linguistic style. Evaluate if it is effective. Discuss the leader’s preferred channel or medium of communication. Is it appropriate and effective? Finally analyze and describe the leader’s non-verbal communications. Is it appropriate and effective? Explain.
· Conflict resolution style: Describe your leader’s conflict management strategies – see page 562 in the text for an explanation of conflict management strategies. Does the leader have a preferred strategy or select the strategy based on the situation?
· Compatibility and effectiveness: Assess if your leader’s personality and style is a good fit with the organization he or she operates in. Consider the culture and the industry. Be specific
· Summary: Discuss what you have learned from this research regarding management and leadership. How can you apply what you have learned? Be specific.
Term Project Guidelines
· Writing quality: It is expected that all assignments will use correct grammar, sentence structure and spelling. Points will be deducted for misspellings, and poor grammar or sentence structure. Use the concepts and the vocabulary of this course to show your professional understanding. Be specific and avoid generalizations. Example:
1. Good and specific: She uses a participative management style to empower her employees and increase their motivation and loyalty.
2. Too general and not appropriate to show depth of knowledge: She managed her employees to make them happy.
· Due: in three parts
1. Project proposal is due: Week 3, Module 3
2. First draft is due: Week 5, Module 5
3. Final project is due: Week 7, Module 7
· Length: 10 to 12 double spaced pages
· Font: Times New Roman # 12
· Style: http://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476096
· Format: To include:
· An introductory paragraph that states the purpose of the assignment in two to three sentences.
· The body of the assignment which covers each area needed. Each topic should have a separate paragraph.
· A summary paragraph that adds closure to the assignment with a rationale and/or a conclusion.
· Bibliography – at least eight sources including the text. Although this requires first hand research, it is expected that you will reference outside sources to elaborate on specific theories, styles or methods.
· Make it reader friendly. Use bullets when appropriate: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-ab&nirf=cover+page+in+APA&tbm=isch&q=using+bullets++in+APA+6&chips=q:using+bullets+in+apa+6,online_chips:bullet+point&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjf2_nkvtreAhVRNX0KHdQGB8kQ4lYILCgF&biw=1052&bih=407&dpr=1.5
· Value: 100
· Grading Rubric: Study the posted grading rubric for all assignments to ensure that you will follow the writing standard for this institution.
